Pastor blesses motorcycle: ‘we all have a call to sanctify our work’
A shiny, bright blue motorcycle sparkles in the sunlight – an unusual sight parked on the front lawn of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC), Newport News, on Sunday, Sept. 3.
The custom paint job includes 24-karat gold leaf crosses, hand-painted letters and pinstriping. Bible verses are airbrushed on the bike.
“El Rey de Reyes” (“The King of Kings”) is proudly emblazoned on the side, with a gold halo painted on top of the first word.
The front of the motorcycle reads: “I am the light of the world…”
The Scripture verse is finished on the back: “…Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Ed Maulbeck, a parishioner of OLMC, and owner of Indian Motorcycle of Southeastern Virginia in Newport News, is taking Jesus’ message on the road.
He knows that designing and building a motorcycle that pays tribute to Jesus Christ is a pretty unusual idea.
He first got revved up when he saw a rival motorcycle manufacturer promoted a bike called “El Diablo” (“The Devil”) – with a demonic paint job that included devil’s horns and tail, described by the manufacturer as “Easter eggs” hidden in the design.
Maulbeck, a 20-year military veteran, said he was offended when he found out about the other motorcycle and decided to build a “Jesus Christ-themed motorcycle that was a whole lot cooler than the devil-themed bike.”
Maulbeck said he mostly came up with the design himself, but also got input throughout the process from Father Dan Beeman, pastor of OLMC.
“He came in to tell me about the motorcycle and for him it was very much a response to another company making something that was dedicated to the devil,” said Father Beeman. “And he said I really can’t abide with that so I’m going to do something that brings glory to God.”
Maulbeck said he shared each piece of the design with Father Beeman before he made the motorcycle.
“I wanted to make sure it was good,” said Maulbeck. “He said he wanted to see it when it was done, so when he saw it, he wanted to bless it.”
A hot Sunday morning on Sept. 3, Father Beeman and a crowd of parishioners headed outside after the 10 a.m. Mass and gathered around the motorcycle.
The pastor blessed the motorcycle and its future riders, asking “… all of your angels to accompany it, that they may free those who ride it from all dangers, and always guard them.”
“Bless it to keep it always safe, that all passengers on the road may reach their destination, refreshed and filled with the Holy Spirit,” Father Beeman said, with his arms outstretched over the motorcycle.
“Part of the call of the Catholic Christian is to sanctify our work, to bring our faith into the life of what we do, even if we don’t work in a church job,” Father Beeman told The Catholic Virginian.
He said the motorcycle was a “really unique way to do it and I thought it was something worth allowing the parish to be a part of and to celebrate with him.”
The custom bike is a 2023 Indian Sport Chief Dark Horse and it’s now for sale for $29,999. Maulbeck said a few people have shown interest. He jokingly said this is a bike for “believers” only – but admitted this project has been close to his heart. He said, “I won’t build another bike exactly like it, but if you want something, I will work with you.”
The blessing took place the day before Labor Day. “It seems like a good time to talk about the ways that our labors can glorify God, and this is a great example of bringing faith and work together,” said Father Beeman.